A who's who of New Orleans, including Archbishop Gregory Aymond, former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning, jazz artist Wynton Marsalis and "Treme" star Wendell Pierce, has asked 22 members of the Newhouse family to sell The Times-Picayune, which will move to three-day-a-week publication this fall. "If you have ever valued the friendship you have shared with our city and your loyal readers, we ask that you sell the Times-Picayune," the letter reads in part. Among the other signatories are Tulane University President Scott Cowen, Xavier University President Norman Francis, Loyola University President Kevin Wildes, restaurateur Ralph Brennan, and Saints and Hornets owner Tom Benson and his wife, Gayle. "Our city wants a daily printed paper, needs a daily printed paper and deserves a daily printed paper."

The Times-PicayuneNew Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond, left, and former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning are members of a group that has asked the Newhouse family to sell The Times-Picayune.

The letter was sent on behalf of The Times-Picayune Citizens' Group, which also includes more than 70 businesses and community groups. A spokesperson for the organization said it has found a "willing buyer" for the paper. The spokesperson would not name the buyer or say how much money was being offered.

But the sale request was immediately rejected by the paper's owners.

"We have read the letter with great respect and concern," said Donald E. Newhouse, president of Advance Publications, owner of the paper. "Advance Publications has no intention of selling The Times-Picayune."

Advance Publications announced in May that it will form a new company, the NOLA Media Group, which will include The Times-Picayune and its affiliated website, NOLA.com, in an effort to reshape how the organization delivers its local news, sports and entertainment coverage. The changes will mean the printed newspaper will be delivered only on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, while the company's online news-gathering will move to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"We understand our community's powerful attachment to our newspaper and the high standards to which our readers will hold us," said Jim Amoss, editor of The Times-Picayune. "Reducing our print frequency is a difficult change, but it will not compromise the quality of our journalism. In print and online, we will provide the best and most comprehensive news report to a community that both prizes its traditions and is moving into an era of innovation and entrepreneurship."

The letter from the citizens group represents a change in strategy. Earlier, the group had made several requests of Advance officials to rescind their plans, including one signed by a number of the paper's largest advertisers.

The letter sent to the Newhouses this week emphasized the family's contributions to New Orleans, but it warned that the goodwill it had built over 50 years had "dissipated in just a few short months because of the decision that took our entire community by surprise."

"Advance Publications and its leadership have lost the trust and credibility of a significant segment of the community," said the letter, which also was signed by political consultants Mary Matalin and James Carville, who now live in New Orleans, and political columnists Steve and Cokie Roberts. Cokie Roberts' mother is the former U.S. Rep. Lindy Boggs, who represented New Orleans for 18 years.

The letter said that whether intended or not, the decision to reduce the frequency of the daily newspaper has "already created the impression that our recovery is so tepid that we cannot support an important civic institution like a daily newspaper," and the result has been damage to the relationship between the area's residents and the Newhouses.

"If your family does not believe in the future of this great city and its capacity to support a daily newspaper, it is only fair to allow us to find someone who does," the letter said.

The new letter was the next logical step in efforts to respond to the changes in the newspaper, said a spokeswoman for Aymond.

"When the initial group formed, the archbishop signed on because he believed The Times-Picayune is important to this city," said spokeswoman Sarah McDonald. "He continues to believe this is important for the city, and he is supporting this work. The archdiocese -- the institution -- and the archbishop support a daily newspaper, support The Times-Picayune remaining a daily newspaper."

Carville said he signed the letter in part because he believes New Orleans remains a viable marketplace for a daily newspaper.

"If there's somebody in this community who likes this idea they have, I haven't met them yet," Carville said.

Manning said he didn't hesitate to add his name to the letter.

"I don't think I'm any different than the majority of citizens of New Orleans," Manning said. "I've been here for 41 years, and the daily paper is a part of my life, and if there's any chance to continue to have it seven days a week, I would like to help."